It's too bad DC isn't around to confirm. Based on some of your other faulty memory claims, I just don't know.

Remember when you were "sure" @Hubert had told you something and it turned out he hadn't? (i.e. the not JH90.) Or the time you recalled that "everyone" loved the red crystal on the Fragment F1's case back, but "everyone" turned out to be just 1 person? I could go on and on, but I'll stop there.

From what I've read about the Carrera CH80, it seems that orders were taken, but then the watch was abruptly canceled by Biver. E.g. https://professionalwatches.com/the-infamous-tag-heuer-caliber-ch80-returns/

 

I also remember some of the Seiko in house calibre chrono Carreras made it to market. Are those the watches we’re talking about here? I get confused. Might have been prototypes but distinctly remember these were floating around.

 

The Seiko movement is what the Cal 1887 is based on. The CH80 was supposed to be the next evolution (or revolution) after 1887, an all "in-house movement", but Biver killed it. It was later picked up again and evolved into the H02 that we have today.

I suppose it's possible that a few Carrera CH80s were produced in addition to the Baselworld prototypes. But whether any of those made it onto retailer's shelves for sale to the public is doubtful (IMHO).

 

If any around most probably prototypes. Some hands on reviews with working prototypes around but probably claimed back by TH and now in the vault. Would be cool if the new 39mm look anything like these.

 

I'm very curious to see what the new 39mm Carrera will be. TH should definitely have a Panda and a Reverse Panda offering as part of the standard Carrera line. That's exactly what the now defunct Carrera CH80 was going to be. It amazes me that none of the standard Sport or Elegant models come as Pandas, only the LEs.

 

Hmm, there was definitely something where only a few got sold from boutiques. This seems to be fairly easy to find for sale... I don't know for sure. If Callibre 11 was still up we could have checked. But I guess we'll have to write it off as another case where I'm talking out of my arse.

 

https://www.timetofind.com/tag-heuer/carrera/carrera-ch80-stainless-steel-black-bracelet

 

It states the following:
--
The TAG Heuer Carrera CH80 was introduced at BaselWorld 2014 as the first watch to be powered by the CH80 (previously Calibre 1969) movement. It was never put into production.

Sorry, this Watch is no longer part of the brands current collection.

Details here are shown for historical interest only.
--
Most of the listings for this watch say something similar. The only listings I've seen where you can buy one are replicas such as this one: https://www.wristwatchline.co/tag-h...80-chronograph-41mm-steel-cba2111-fc6347.html

 

It wasn't meant as evidence for the defence, I just thought people might be interested, especially of the render with the bracelet

 

I was vainly searching to see if by some miracle the Calibre 11 article might pop up, but I guess that's a forlorn hope.

 

Why does Wayback Machine (web archive) no longer have any images of Calibre11.com prior to 2022? I'm sure it used to.

 

The evil empire had it removed. Probably.

 

I'm guessing that DC's Carrera CH80 article might have mentioned the black & gold Cal 1969 (old name of the CH80), that's the one that was sold briefly in Boutiques. Perhaps your memory has blurred these two together, hence why you think some were sold in Boutiques?

Anyway, Baselworld 2014 took place before the Calibre11 Forums started in Nov 2014, so seems unlikely that it was discussed in-depth here.

 

This is an old thread that DC created about the black & gold 1969: https://tagheuerforums.com/threads/carrera-calibre-1969.29773/

Note he states the following about the Cal 1969:
--
These were meant to be a limited edition to launch the new movement and I understand that only a few made it out to dealers before the model was put on ice- firstly to be relaunched as the Calibre CH80 and then scrapped altogether.
--
Rob, I think perhaps you're confusing the two.

 

In DC's 2014 year end review, he does say he saw a production CH80, but no mention of it ever being sold, only its cancellation.
https://tagheuerforums.com/threads/the-tag-heuer-year-in-review-your-2014-highlights.19697/